Meet the Howlters

Swallow Your Pride

YEAR: 2040

[Delilah's POV]

Dad is calling...

"Dad?" I yawned. "It's-"
"Eight in the morning. I know...are you hung over?"
"Maybe," I sighed. "What's up?"
"You called me last night,"
"I did?"
"Yes, you did,"
"Shit, what'd I say?"
"First of all, watch your mouth. Second of all," he sighed. "You came out,"

Fuck

"I what?" I said as my voice cracked.
"I'm not mad, princess. I just wanted to talk about it more. That's all,"
"I didn't want to come out like that...I wanted to tell you when I was ready..."
"Honey, when you're drunk, you often do things you secretly want to do but, your sober self will never let you do said things,"
"I guess you're right..."
"Hey, you shouldn't be upset about this," he said. "Bear and I don't see you any differently. Okay? We're actually very proud of you. We wish we had the guts to come out as soon as you did,"
"Wait, when did you guys come out?"
"Wow..." he sighed. "We were together for seven years before we finally decided to come out,"
"Wow..."
"So, if you don't mind me asking, what do you prefer? Girls or guys?"
"I don't really know...I find both really attractive,"
"Well, which do you find yourself crushing on more?"
"Girls," I said. "But guys are awesome too...I just haven't found a decent one,"
"Well, whoever you end up with, they're going to be very lucky,"
"You're just saying that cause you're my dad,"
"I'm saying because it's true,"
"Oh shut up," I laughed. "I'm a handful!"
"You're a lovely handful,"

As we spoke, my phone started to beep, alerting me that another person was trying to call me.

"Hey dad, Winnie's trying to call me so, I'll talk to you later,"
"Alright princess, I'll talk to you later. Bear and I love you,"
"I love you guys too,"
"Bye,"
"Bye," I whispered as I hung up. "What?" I grumbled as I answered Winston.
"I really need your fucking help," he whispered.
"What did you do?"
"Stef and I got really drunk last night and..."
"And what?" No answer. "And what? Winston Alexander Howlter, answer me!"
"We got married..."
"God, I thought you adopted a kid or some shit. What's so bad about marrying her? For gods sake, you're already engaged,"
"I know but..."
"But what?"
"She wanted a big wedding...one with all our friends. She wanted a beautiful white dress. She wanted to see me in my nicest suit. She wanted her dads to give her away. Instead she had a shitty, quickie wedding, and-"
"Did you guys have a marriage license?"
"Y-Yeah, she got one when we got engaged,"
"Why the fuck would she get one so early?"
"So we'd already have it when we got married. Y'know, just one less thing to worry about,"
"Wow...do you guys have pictures?"
"Yeah, I guess. I don't know, I had a stranger take a few pictures,"
"Can you send them to me?"
"Yeah, sure. Whatever,"
"Dil, who are you talking to?" Penny mumbled.
"My brother," I whispered.
"Who's that?"
"Penny," I said.
"Yeah?"
"Go back to bed, honey," I chuckled.
"Okay, what did I miss?"
"I'll explain when we get back to school,"
"Okay...I'll talk to you later. Love you,"
"Love you too. Bye Winston," I laughed.
"Bye Delilah."